Can anyone answer this question?

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

I have these radios that operate in the FRS/GMRS frequency range. I am trying to modify it by attaching a 1/8th in head phone jack to be able to play music or whatever from my phone over the walkie talkie. Basically what ive done so far is just solder on in place of the microphone/speaker. I've tried both of the jacks pictured just to do it. I got it to work on some cheap walkie talkies that operate on a lower frequency but I can't get this to do the same thing. Can anybody help me or explain to me why this wouldnt work please and thank you!

Voyager · Mar 15, 2015

You might want to review FCC Part 95 before putting much more work into this project, as:

1. Playing music over either service is illegal, and

2. Modifying the radios is illegal.

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

Oh great...what if i were to create my own radio from scratch, how would i go about getting sound to play through an 1/8th jack? The sound would just be a voice

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

Oh dang, okay well i wont continue but could someone tell me why this wouldnt work?

mancow · Mar 15, 2015

They don't have microphone jack on them?

The microphone appears to be the small round hole where an electret capsule is located.

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

They've got an input for the headsets.. You think that would work?

Citywide173 · Mar 15, 2015

First, I would follow the above advice, as it is not exactly legal.

As far as your question, what are you using to close the PTT circuit? Is the radio VOX capable, and is it enabled? Was the other radio you referenced VOX capable? I think this is where your issue lies.

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

Yes it is vox capable but I dont think it was enabled. and for the other walkie talkie Im not sure, there was not configurable settings or channels, they were a cheap set of kids walkie talkies. What exactly is VOX?

Citywide173 · Mar 15, 2015

It's voice actuation. When the radio senses noise above a certain level from the microphone, it closes the PTT circuit, allowing the audio to automatically pass. If you're planning on a constant audio stream, the components in those cheap radios will probably fail relatively quickly.

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

I dont want to use the cheap ones, they arent even the right frequency I want. Im not gonna have constant sound but i do need it to be able to transmit without the PTT button being pressed. So if VOX is enabled you think it will pass sound from the audio device?

Citywide173 · Mar 15, 2015

You would have to enable VOX, or wire the PTT circuit with an on/off switch in place of the current momentary switch so that you could switch the transmit as you needed it. You could just wire the circuit for constant transmit, but I would advise against it as it might cause harmful interference while unattended.

Once again, I am only addressing the theory of why it isn't working, make sure your application is in accordance with FCC guidelines.

mchart13 · Mar 15, 2015

Assuming this will be your "music" transmitting radio that will be connected to your cell, ipod... headphone jack.
You have your wires connected to the speaker of that GMRS radio, that won't work. You need to be connected to the MIC of the radio which is up a bit and to the right which has that black felt or rubber gromet around it. I think MANCOW was trying to tell you that.
Also yes you will need VOX turned on

toastycookies · Mar 15, 2015

you soldered onto the speaker output, not the microphone input...

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

Okay so i enabled VOX and nothing happened, I did notice though when i push the PTT to transmit i hear slight static but it also seems to pick up other noises like if i click or flick on the waklie talkie itself the click sound gets transmitted as if the whole walkie talkie is now a microphone. But voice does not get transmitted.

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

I thought the speaker output was the same as the microphone lol figured it was dual device...so i will check that out! My bad lol also thanks for pointing that out!

Search-and-Destroy · Mar 15, 2015

Guess what!? That worked lol I'm a DA...thanks for your help guys! I do plan on getting a license and everything for my device im just still in the planning and developing phase. But this is one step forward, thanks for pointing that out to me.

mchart13 · Mar 15, 2015

Good !
Enjoy your R&D phase of your project

Voyager · Mar 15, 2015

I doubt the other GMRS/FRS users in your area will let you stay on the air long. Anyway, no sense in bothering with the license since what you're doing is illegal anyway. What's one more violation on top of the two you're already committing? Although if you use FRS frequencies, there is no license, so you're back down to only two violations.

An by all means enjoy your project until the FCC cites you.

jhooten · Mar 15, 2015

Not to mention the fidelity has to suck putting music into a 2.5khz wide voice circuit.

chuck_e7 · Mar 15, 2015

Search-and-Destroy said:
Guess what!? That worked lol I'm a DA...thanks for your help guys! I do plan on getting a license and everything for my device im just still in the planning and developing phase. But this is one step forward, thanks for pointing that out to me.

I think the DA part is using any radio! Why not use a Bluetooth device and be legal?

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